County's history is heritage

America's daughters celebrate centennial of service

Connected by the bravery of their ancestors and bound by friendship, members of the Janet Montgomery Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are celebrating the group's centennial — and their own heritage.

Some of the organization's 94 members gathered at Leisure World in Aspen Hill to look back on the chapter's history and share memories.

Of all the DAR chapters in Montgomery County, "we were the first," Dale Boggs, a 65-year-old Leisure World resident and immediate past regent, said as she flipped through a scrapbook.

Through photographs, letters, articles and other relics, the book tells the story of the Rockville chapter that was organized April 16, 1909, with 42 members. It was named for Janet Montgomery, the wife of Gen. Richard Montgomery, the Revolutionary War hero for whom the county is named.

Janet Montgomery is one of approximately 3,000 Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR) chapters across the United States and world. Any woman 18 years or older who can prove she is descended from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership in the nonprofit, non-political, volunteer service organization.

Many of the women said joining the group provided them with a better sense of their history.

"It really opened the door to the past for me," said Grace Clifford, 87, of Bethesda, who has been a member of the chapter for 26 years. "I was flabbergasted to find out all the amazing people I'm related to."

She said she found out one of her distant cousins was Dorothy Bland, an actress better known by the last name Jordan who was the mistress of King William IV of England.

Jean Strahan, a member for 40 years, considers it special that members have a personal connection to such an important moment in American history.

"There are so few people who can go and trace their family history that far back," the 82-year-old Leisure World resident said. "It's about realizing our ancestors fought and helped build a nation."

The women of Janet Montgomery have a notable list of accomplishments over the years — from supporting three French orphans during World War I and donating funds to help rebuild their village to placing the name of Gen. Richard Montgomery on the Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island in New York.

These days, the group volunteers at the National Naval Medical Center and Fisher House in Bethesda that provides a home away from home for families of patients receiving medical care at major military hospitals.

It also sponsors scholarships, supports community literacy projects and is involved with a variety of other activities.

Bonnie Dybalski, 60, who has been a member of the chapter for about six years and is its new regent, said she particularly enjoys handing out American flags at naturalization ceremonies for new citizens.

"It's wonderful to be a part of that because people are so excited to become American citizens," the Rockville resident said.

"We've had a great first 100 years and we hope to continue in the same vein of giving back to the community through historic preservation, patriotism and education," Dybalski said.